Hillary Caston’s 2012 Real Estate Predictions

Whew! Another year has flown by at supersonic speed. And that means The Coastal Property Experts are going out on a limb once again. That’s right. It’s time for Hillary Caston’s 2012 Real Estate Predictions. OK, I’m gazing deep into my crystal ball. Here’s what I see ...

Price Jump -- Without question, home prices in the Laguna Beach area will jump 10% from the all-time lows of 2011. This applies not only to Laguna Beach homes, but to Newport Beach homes, Laguna Niguel homes, and Dana Point homes.

You’ve Got Three Months -- Be looking for the climb to start in about 90 days. Yes, yes, I know more distress inventory will pour into the market. But those homes will blend into the mix of escalating properties -- without diluting rising prices.

I can hear your skeptical cry “What gives Hillary the gall to make such outlandish predictions?” Well, it’s like this. I waltzed into real estate from Arizona 15 years ago, just when the biz was emerging from its previous slump. Within 24 months of my start date, I learned that it’s not about what you see, but what you hear. And you know what -- I’m hearing it all over again, loud and clear.

Here are some examples:

I was getting my nails done when I start kibitzing with another woman. In mid-polish, she announces, “I can feel the real estate market coming back. Four homes on my street, Cerritos, have sold in the last seven months. And that’s a small street.” I’m telling you, this woman was getting me pumped up about the market -- and she’s not even a real estate agent! Yeah, there’s a definite buzz in the air.

Next, I’m prowling the supermarket for choice veggies when a woman hits a nearby woman with this newsflash: “A home on my street sold just three days after it went on the market -- with 13 offers on it. And it was snapped up for way over asking price. This is crazy. I’m telling my husband it’s time to buy. We may never see the bottom again.”

Then I was in a Newport Beach restaurant enjoying my usual fare. At the next table were two couples discussing somebody who ‘stole’ a Newport Beach home for one third of its 2005 sales price.

Ken, a new client from Georgia, was telling me that the market down south is starting to move. I’m taking him home shopping on Friday.

Whoah, you wouldn’t believe the number of people flocking to thecoastalpropertyexperts.com, checking out Laguna Beach homes for sale and Newport Beach homes for sale. The visitors included 12 people from England, apparently eager to hang their hats beneath our sunny skies.

Obviously, the power of conversation drives people to buy. This is exactly what happened in 2001. And it’s happening now. Trust me. Nobody wants to be left behind. Please write your comments and stories that you are hearing amongst your friends. I would love to read them.

Are you ready to be proactive and take advantage of this emerging trend? Then contact Coastal Property Experts. We’ll help you discover the wealth of opportunities waiting for you in the Orange County real estate market.

You can connect with our team at 949-922-8490 or hillary@thecoastalpropertyexperts.com. Until next time, Sunny Days and Smooth Sailing!

Yeah! We have the winner of the Free Night at The Montage 5 star Resort. Who? A lovely gal from the state of Washington, Mrs. Ruth D. Congratulations and enjoy! We look forward to seeing you in fabulous Laguna Beach!